On Rereading Télémaque

“Calypso could not console herself”

I PLACE thee back upon the shelf,
O Fénelon, how scant thy knowledge,
Who seemed as Solomon himself
To me, a callow youth at college!

No need to say thou wert a priest;
No need to own that I am human;
Mine this advantage is—at least
I’ve learned the alphabet of Woman.

And yet but half the truth is told:
I do thee wrong, sagacious Mentor,—
Calypso could not be consoled
Until another man was sent her!

James Jeffrey Roche.